The City of Toronto is set to enhance its bike share program by introducing more e-bikes this year following a surge in ridership recorded last year. Bike Share Toronto experienced a 40% increase in individual riders in 2025 compared to the previous year. The annual operating plan, presented to the Toronto Parking Authority board of directors, revealed a 10% rise in total rides taken, totaling 7.8 million trips in 2025. Notably, 231,000 individuals who utilized bike share services last year were first-time riders.
E-bikes proved to be highly popular, delivering more trips per day than regular bikes in 2025. To meet the growing demand, the city plans to incorporate 200 new e-bikes and 350 e-docks into the network this year, alongside 750 regular bikes. Additionally, 1,200 new solar stations will be installed. Raktim Mitra, an urban planning professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, highlighted the appeal of e-bikes for enabling new or novice cyclists to comfortably undertake longer-distance rides with minimal physical exertion.
The report pointed out a notable 39% increase in first-time ridership last year, reaching 231,000 individuals. It is projected that the total number of trips for the current year will rise to approximately 8.6 million. Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, expressed enthusiasm about the bike share program’s success, referring to it as a “gateway drug” for cultivating a passion for cycling among individuals and offering diverse outdoor activity options.
Emphasizing the importance of adequate infrastructure for the city’s bike share program and overall cycling initiatives, Mitra underlined the pivotal role of proper infrastructure in supporting the growth of these programs. The program expansion coincides with Toronto City Council’s approval of a plan to implement 20 kilometers of new bike lanes in the city. Conversely, the province is contesting a court ruling that invalidated a law aiming to remove 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue.
With the upcoming FIFA World Cup expected to draw numerous visitors and increased car traffic to the city, the expansion of Bike Share Toronto is poised to alleviate congestion and enhance urban mobility, according to Mistra. He emphasized the significance of shared micro-mobility systems, especially in densely populated downtown areas where public transit and roads are often congested.
The expansion project for Bike Share Toronto is estimated to cost slightly over $10 million. In the previous year, the program generated $17.1 million in revenue, surpassing the initial projection by $2.3 million.